Jig for assembling ratchet mechanisms



April 21, 1964 M. L. BROWN 3,129,500

JIG FOR ASSEMBLING RATCHET MECHANISMS Filed Aug. 29. 1960 $.Sheets-Sheet 1 Marvin L. Brown 1 N VEN TOR.

April 21, 1964' Filed Aug. 29, 1960 Fig.3

M. L. BROWN Q JIG FOR ASSEMBLING RATCHET MECHANISMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Marv/n L. Brown INVENTOR.

BY MM 5% M. L. BROWN JIG FOR ASSEMBLING RATCHET MECHANISMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 21, 1964 Filed Aug. 29, 1960 lI/IIIIIII/ Marvin L. Brown INVENTOR.

BY MW United States Patent Office 3,129,500 Patented Apr. 21, 1964 3,1295% HG FOR ASSEMBLING RATCHET MECHANISMS Marvin L. Brown, Graham, N.C. (RR. 1, Sanford, N.C.) Filed Aug. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 52,519 3 Claims. (Cl. 29256) This invention relates to a novel and useful assembly jig for ratchet mechanisms, and more specifically to an assembly jig adapted for use in connection with ratchet head assemblies of the type including an elongated operating arm having a laterally projecting ratchet head mechanism on one end thereof which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced extension elements mounted in the head mechanism for guided movement between retracted positions and outwardly extending positions projecting outwardly beyond the side surfaces of the ratchet head mechanism. This type of ratchet head assembly in cludes the provision of extension elements which are circumferentially disposed and mounted for movement along selected chords of an arc contaim'ng the outer surfaces of the ratchet head mechanism. The ratchet head mechanism is adapted to be received in one end of a sleeve-like body and the extension members are resiliently urged to an extended position in frictional engagement with the inner surfaces or" the sleeve-like body. In this manner, the arm of the ratchet head assembly may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-like body in a direction opposite to that in which the extension elements are resiliently urged. It is to be understood that all of the extension elements are resiliently urged in similar directions about the circumference of the ratchet head mechanism. Thus, it may be readily appreciated that the arm of the ratchet head assembly may readily be moved in one direction about the longitudinal axis of the sleeve body but will be prevented from movement in the opposite direction by means of the frictional engagement of the extension elements with the inner surfaces of the sleeve body.

Inasmuch as the sleeve body is adapted to snugly receive the head mechanism when the extension elements are in a retracted position, when assembling the ratchet head assembly the extension elements must all be urged to a retracted position before the head mechanism may be inserted within the sleeve body. In some cases, the number of extension elements which must be urged toward retracted position before the head mechanism may be disposed within the sleeve body makes it very difiicult to simultaneously maintain all of the extension elements in the retracted positions manually. Additionally, in some instances the spring means used to urge the extension elements outwardly of the ratchet head mechanism are quite strong and next to impossible to urge toward a retracted position manually.

The main object of this invention is to provide an assembly jig for the type of ratchet head assembly above referred to which will be capable of adjustably positioning and retaining the extension elements in retracted positions during the assembly of the head mechanism with the sleeve body and the insertion of the former into the latter.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object is to provide an assembly jig adapted also to receive the laterally directed arm on the ratchet head mechanism whereby the arm side of the ratchet head mechanism may be first inserted within the sleeve body.

A final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a device which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to operate so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively troublefree in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the type of ratchet head assembly with which the jig of the instant invention is specifically adapted to be used;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the jig assembly comprising the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the ratchet assembly showing the various component parts thereof disassembled;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the jig assembly shown being used to maintain the extension elements of the ratchet head assembly in a retracted position; and

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates an exemplary form of ratchet head assembly with which the assembly jig generally referred to by the reference numeral 12 and comprising the present invention is adapted to be used.

With attention now directed to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings it will be noted that the ratchet assembly 10 includes a sleeve body generally referred to by the reference numeral 14. The sleeve body 14 is generally cylindrical and has a centrally disposed bore 16 formed therethrough. Each end of the bore 16 is provided with a first counter bore 18 and a second counter bore 20 with an annular shoulder 22 being defined between said first and second counter bores 18 and 20. i

There is provided for disposition in each end of the sleeve body 14 a generally disk-shaped ratchet head mechanism generally referred to by the reference numeral 24. Each of the ratchet head mechanisms 24 is substantially identical in construction with the exception that one ratchet head mechanism 24 is provided with a laterally extending arm 26 and the other ratchet head mechanism 24 is provided with a laterally extending arm 28. Although the arms 26 and 28 are somewhat different in construction, they serve the same purpose, and as the specific construction of the arms 26 and 28 does not comprise a portion of the present invention, it is believed unnecessary to specifically set forth structure of these elements.

Each of the ratchet head mechanisms 24 is provided with a plurality of cut-out portions generally designated by the reference numeral 3i) in which there is formed a recess 32 and a bore 34. The bore 34- of each recess 36* extends in a direction lying upon. a chord of an arc scribing the outer circumferential edges of the ratchet head mechanisms 24.

Disposed in each of the blind bores 34 is a tension spring 35 over which the outer end thereof a tension spring cap 38 is disposed. A roller block 40 is disposed in each of the recesses 32 and a ratchet roller 42 is positioned in each of the cut-out portions 3! with its longitudinal axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore and its outer cylindrical surfaces in frictional engagement with the corresponding roller block 49 and the outer end surface of the correspending tension spring cap 38. As can best be seen from FIGURE 4 of the drawings, the arm of the ratchet head mechanism 24 may be readily rotated in counterclockwise direction but will be normally prevented from rotating in a clockwise direction due to the wedging engagement of the roller 42 between the confronting surfaces of the roller block 4% and the second counterbore 20.

It is to be understood that when the ratchet head mechanisms 24' are positioned Within the sleeve body 14, that the upper surfaces 44 of the ratchet head mechanisms 24 will abut the shoulder 22 with the ratchet head mechanisms 24 disposed in the second counterbores 2t and the upper surfaces dd of the arms of the ratchet head mechanisms 2 will abut the end surfaces of the sleeve body 14.

With attention now directed specifically to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that the assembly jig 12 includes a generally annular frame body generally referred to by the reference numeral 519 which is substantially cylindrical in cross-section. The frame body 50 has a centrally disposed vertically extending bore 52 formed therethrough which is provided with a counterbore 54 on each end. An annular shoulder portion 56 is formed between the bore 52 and the counterbore 54. The counterbore 54 is provided with a laterally extending opening 58 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully set forth and a plurality of circumferentially arranged internally threaded bores 69 which each extend transversely of the frame body 50 and lie on a chord thereof.

A plurality of abutment members comprising externally threaded screw members 62 are threadedly engaged in the bores 6d and are provided with reduced end portions 64- on their inner ends adapted for engagement with the corresponding rollers 42. The outer ends of the screw members 62 are enlarged diametrically and provided with knurled outer surfaces 66 and non-circular longitudinally blind bores 68 which each may be used for adjustably positioning the screw members 62.

With attention now directed to FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that the second counterbore 54 is of a sufficient diameter to receive the assembled ratchet head mechanism 24 when its extension elements or rollers 42 are disposed in extended positions. The selected ratchet head mechanism 24 may be positioned within one of the second counterbores 54 with the surface 44 disposed outermost and the marginal portions of the remote surface of the corresponding arm abutting the annular shoulder 56 and the arm extending outwardly through the opening 58. The screw members 62 may then be adjusted to urge the rollers 42 in a direction against the tension of the springs 36 until the rollers 42 have been retracted to a position lying within an arc containing the outer peripheral surfaces of the head mechanism. With the rollers 42 thus positioned in retracted positions, the sleeve 14 may have one of its ends lowered into the second counterbore 54 until it abuts the reduced end portions 64 of the screw members 62. The screw members 62 may then be moved outwardly of the frame body 56 whereupon the rollers 42 will engage the inner surfaces of the second counterbore of the sleeve body M- with the inner surfaces of the second counterbore 2t} maintaining the ratchet head mechanism 24 in an assembled position. The ratchet head. mechanism 24 and the sleeve body 14 may then be removed from the frame body 50 whereupon the ratchet head mechanism 24 may then be urged 4 into final seated engagement within the second counterbore 2ft of the sleeve body 14.

Inasmuch as each of the ratchet head mechanisms 24 is assembled and positioned within the sleeve body 14 in the same manner, it is deemed unnecessary to specifically describe the assembly of both ratchet head mechanisms 24.

Inasmuch as the screw members 62 are provided with the innermost reduced end portions 64, the ratchet head mechanisms 24 may be inserted within the sleeve body 14 a maximum distance before the screw members 62 are moved outwardly of the second counterbore 54 in the frame body 55). Thus, it is assured that a sufficient portion of the ratchet head mechanisms 24 will be disposed Within the second counterbores 28 of the sleeve body 14 to maintain the ratchet head mechanisms 24 in an assembled state until the screws 62 may be removed and the ratchet head assemblies 24 are moved into final seated engagement with the sleeve body 14.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

'1. An assembly jig for use in connection with an object having side surfaces about which are spaced and mounted a plurality of extension elements for guided movement between retracted positions and outwardly extending positions projecting outwardly beyond the side surfaces of said object, said assembly jig including a frame-like body defining an opening adapted to receive said object when said extension elements are in their extended positions, said body including a plurality of abutment members disposed about said opening, means adjustably mounting said abutment members for guided movement between positions recessed at least partially in said body and positions spaced inwardly of said opening from said recessed positions, the direction of movement of said abutment members adapted to substantially coincide with the movement of said extension elements whereby the latter may be adjustably positioned and ret-ained in retracted positions, and a transversely extending opening formed in said frame member communicating with the upper surfaces thereof and extending downwardly to a point spaced below the horizontal plane containing said abutment members wherein an arm carried by said objects may be positioned in said jig assembly with the objects projecting upwardly above the plane of the arm and the arm may extend through said opening.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said abutment members each include a screw member having one end adapted to engage the outer end of one of the extension elements of said body, said adjustable mounting means comprising threaded bores in said body in which said screw members are threadingly engaged.

3. An assembly jig for use in connection with a ratchet head assembly of the type including an elongated horizontally disposed operating :arm having a laterally and upwardly projecting ratchet head mechanism on one end thereof which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced extension elements mounted in said head mechanism for guided movement between retracted positions and outwardly extending positions projecting outwardly beyond the side surfaces of said ratchet head mechanism in a horizontal plane, said assembly jig including a horizontally disposed support frame member having a vertically extending opening formed therein of a size adapted to receive said head mechanism when said extensions are in extended positions, said frame member including a plurality of abutment members disposed about said opening, means adjustably mounting munieating with the upper surfaces thereof and extending said abutment member for guided individual movement downwardly to a point spaced below the horizontal plane between positions recessed at least partially in said frame containing said abutment members.

member and positions spaced inwardly of said opening from said recessed positions, the direction of move- 5 Referencgs Cited in the file Of this Patent ment of said abutment members adapted to substan- UNITED STATES PATENTS tially coincide with the movement of said extension elements whereby the latter may be adjustably positioned et fi and retained in retracted positions upon inward adjust 2710904 ig? TH J 2 1955 ment of said abutment members, and a transversely ex- 10 2787825 H e 1957 tending opening formed in said frame member com- O1 ay 

1. AN ASSEMBLY JIG FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AN OBJECT HAVING SIDE SURFACES ABOUT WHICH ARE SPACED AND MOUNTED A PLURALITY OF EXTENSION ELEMENTS FOR GUIDED MOVEMENT BETWEEN RETRACTED POSITIONS AND OUTWARDLY EXTENDING POSITIONS PROJECTING OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE SIDE SURFACES OF SAID OBJECT, SAID ASSEMBLY JIG INCLUDING A FRAME-LIKE BODY DEFINING AN OPENING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID OBJECT WHEN SAID EXTENSION ELEMENTS ARE IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS, SAID BODY INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ABUTMENT MEMBERS DISPOSED ABOUT SAID OPENING, MEANS ADJUSTABLY MOUNTING SAID ABUTMENT MEMBERS FOR GUIDED MOVEMENT BETWEEN POSITIONS RECESSED AT LEAST PARTIALLY IN SAID BODY AND POSITIONS SPACED INWARDLY OF SAID OPENING FROM SAID RECESSED POSITIONS, THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID ABUTMENT MEMBERS ADAPTED TO SUBSTANTIALLY COINCIDE WITH THE MOVEMENT OF SAID EXTENSION ELEMENTS WHEREBY THE LATTER MAY BE ADJUSTABLY POSITIONED AND RETAINED IN RETRACTED POSITIONS, AND TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING OPENING FORMED IN SAID FRAME MEMBER COMMUNICATING WITH THE UPPER SURFACES THEREOF AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY TO A POINT SPACED BELOW THE HORIZONTAL PLANE CONTAINING SAID ABUTMENT MEMBERS WHEREIN AN ARM CARRIED BY SAID OBJECTS MAY BE POSITIONED IN SAID JIG ASSEMBLY WITH THE OBJECTS PROJECTING UPWARDLY ABOVE THE PLANE OF THE ARM AND THE ARM MAY EXTEND THROUGH SAID OPENING. 